Well, it’s been awhile since I have written a blog, well there is a reason for that. I thought no one was reading, so I went and did a blog seminar to help me gain a better idea of how to use this media and what I discovered was that people have been reading it, I just hadn’t realised.
So here is my latest on this new media and how much I enjoy at least writing what’s happening and, still live in hope, that I may hear more back from my readers.
One of the things I learnt on this course which has been a real help and time saver was all about Hoot Suite (http://hootsuite.com/). A free time saving device for people like me, with little time, but much need to reach all of you who want to know what I am doing and when. Well with Hoot Suite I can update my daily notices weeks in advance of the event on all the social media places I post events up on. So places like, Facebook, blogger, linked in, and twitter, I can now go to one site and update all these daily in one place and schedule updates weeks, months in advance. It’s brilliant, so when I go on holiday, like this last week, I can input updates while I am away, so I keep up the SEO’s (Search Engine Optimisation) and the sites keep active.
The scariest thing about all of this for me is I am not a techie, I am a Trekkie, but not a techie, so the fact that I am learning all these new words and acronyms is really something for me and shows how easy it has to be. If I can do it, anyone can do it, with a little initiative and desire to learn something new and useful.
So for all those others out there like me, just dip your toe in the water and the world will expand wonderfully. The key thing I have learnt over the years is to take it all slowly. I have been learning that I need to do these courses every so often to pick up a few tid bits which I will then try to do and then do another course again later and so on, just doing a little along the way until I learn all these new skills as and when.
So I say blog away, it’s good fun, gives me a vent for some of my pet subjects and keeps me learning new skills. Hopefully I’ll be hearing back from more of you soon, but if not, at least I know that some of you are reading and that is a great thing in itself! For those of you who don’t want to respond directly through this blog, you can always email me through the website at http://www.debbiebridge.com.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Thursday, 26 May 2011
A Life Outdoors
This last month has seen me dawning a new tan (despite sun factor 50 on!) and act the 'Merry Bard' of Shakespeare in a park, just down the road from me. To speak the truth, this is a venue and an event I have been wishing to take part in for some time - who says dreams don't come true! Since I first watched a play in St. Anne's Well gardens, Blithe Spirit, I have had a hunkering to do a show there, to have it then coupled with the chance to do some Shakespeare - its heaven. I play 3 small roles: Martini Pink (singer), Ursula and Georgia Seacole (spoken part of the watch or trouser role turned Italian Mama in this production). Do you think that 'no' was ever in the equation when I was offered the opportunity to do this?
I have done a lot of out door venues in my career, luckily enough. It started back in Canada with 'Theatre Under the Stars' an outdoor theatre, in Stanley Park, Vancouver, if you are lucky enough to see something there; it's worth any weather to watch. That too was a dream come true, but then I was only the understudy. I have toured all over the UK with various touring opera companies, a great way to see the back of beyond in the UK, and sung at estate/country homes in all sorts of weather and costume; nothing like playing a sexy, hot gypsy in English weather. Naturally the busking I do has literally put me on the streets of London, in particular Covent Garden, I love it when they come up to me and ask me if I'll be singing at the main house tonight, it even happened this week. Just a hint there Covent Garden opera, I'm just a few steps away, you could have a new operatic star!
I don't know why I love performing outside so much, I know for the Shakespeare, it feels like it used to be, at least as close as we can get in modern days. The idea of going from village to village to earn your crusts of bread is a real theatre experience, one that I truly appreciate, but I know I'll need the big houses, so I can earn a big more than a crust of bread, so don't worry West End, I will not turn ya down if ya open your doors to me.
In the mean time the little girl from the great wilds of British Columbia, is loving being outside again and doing what I love most - pleasing the crowds with a good tune and some fun filled antics. Plus the costumes and Vesper are good fun!
Next month sees me back inside, doing various smaller projects, plus making plans for that third CD, I will get it done, if all goes well.
I have done a lot of out door venues in my career, luckily enough. It started back in Canada with 'Theatre Under the Stars' an outdoor theatre, in Stanley Park, Vancouver, if you are lucky enough to see something there; it's worth any weather to watch. That too was a dream come true, but then I was only the understudy. I have toured all over the UK with various touring opera companies, a great way to see the back of beyond in the UK, and sung at estate/country homes in all sorts of weather and costume; nothing like playing a sexy, hot gypsy in English weather. Naturally the busking I do has literally put me on the streets of London, in particular Covent Garden, I love it when they come up to me and ask me if I'll be singing at the main house tonight, it even happened this week. Just a hint there Covent Garden opera, I'm just a few steps away, you could have a new operatic star!
I don't know why I love performing outside so much, I know for the Shakespeare, it feels like it used to be, at least as close as we can get in modern days. The idea of going from village to village to earn your crusts of bread is a real theatre experience, one that I truly appreciate, but I know I'll need the big houses, so I can earn a big more than a crust of bread, so don't worry West End, I will not turn ya down if ya open your doors to me.
In the mean time the little girl from the great wilds of British Columbia, is loving being outside again and doing what I love most - pleasing the crowds with a good tune and some fun filled antics. Plus the costumes and Vesper are good fun!
Next month sees me back inside, doing various smaller projects, plus making plans for that third CD, I will get it done, if all goes well.
Monday, 14 March 2011
A time of firsts...
My life is full of topsy turvy and really this is the way I like it. In the past few weeks I've done a radio show interview on Brighton Free Radio with Phil Baker - 40 mins of me talking about me - never done that before. I'm used to being on the other side of the mike and asking the questions, so it was quite nice to be the one who only needed to respond and not fiddle with all the buttons.
Then it was a sell-out gig at a local restaurant which has led to another restaurant asking me to do a gig at theirs, once again a first and very flattering, to say the least. I've never been head hunted before.
Then on the Underground, I was asked if I wanted to do stadium charity gigs, which I had to turn down as they weren't able to cover my expenses. Once again, a first to say 'no' to what sounded good initially, but I just can't afford to do 8 gigs for 'no pay'.
Then it was my first steering committee meeting with the North American Actors Association where I was Chairman. This too brought up a lot of firsts, so I'm reminded that a challenge needs to be seen as an opportunity, so my life is full of the later.
Then to round it all off, I auditioned for a role I've never sung before. It was for a lovely company who actually arranged a lift for me from the train station and back - very nice!
This reminds me with so many new things, I require more time to absorb and understand them, so, if ya don't mind, I think it's a good time for a coffee break, or in my case, a herbal tea break.
I look forward to where the next blog takes me, I have a feeling there are a lot more new frontiers for me to cross. Where are you treading new ground, in the topsy turvy world for the arts
Then it was a sell-out gig at a local restaurant which has led to another restaurant asking me to do a gig at theirs, once again a first and very flattering, to say the least. I've never been head hunted before.
Then on the Underground, I was asked if I wanted to do stadium charity gigs, which I had to turn down as they weren't able to cover my expenses. Once again, a first to say 'no' to what sounded good initially, but I just can't afford to do 8 gigs for 'no pay'.
Then it was my first steering committee meeting with the North American Actors Association where I was Chairman. This too brought up a lot of firsts, so I'm reminded that a challenge needs to be seen as an opportunity, so my life is full of the later.
Then to round it all off, I auditioned for a role I've never sung before. It was for a lovely company who actually arranged a lift for me from the train station and back - very nice!
This reminds me with so many new things, I require more time to absorb and understand them, so, if ya don't mind, I think it's a good time for a coffee break, or in my case, a herbal tea break.
I look forward to where the next blog takes me, I have a feeling there are a lot more new frontiers for me to cross. Where are you treading new ground, in the topsy turvy world for the arts
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Friday, 4 March 2011
Saturday, 5 February 2011
I always wanted to fly...
Hands gripped to the controls for the plane, buzzers going off, lights flashing, teeth clenched, haven't got an idea what I'm doing, I'm holding on for dear life on a steep incline and hoping and praying that holding on will be enough to get me there...
That's what I have felt like since I have taken on the role of Chairman of the North American Actors Association (NAAA - http://new.naaa.org.uk/) on January 20th. I am sure this is just me getting used to this new avenue in my life, but boy it is a steep learning curve. Strangely enough I am lov'n it. I have a great committee of people to work with and already things are moving along and I look forward to these next two years.
So I move from the heady heights of Chairmanship of NAAA to the lowly, but lovely streets of London or to be exact, under the streets on the London Underground. Something I have just started to do since the beginning of January of this year. Just today I had a woman walk up to me and say 2I just didn't believe that it's your real voice and not a recording." The public never cease to amase and surprise me, my favourite is when they ask me a question while I am singing - how I am meant to be able to sing and respond to their question I am not sure. I suppose I could try singing a response, but the strange thing I believe people don't always realise I tend to be listening to my music to make sure I am in time with it, not to the question they may be asking. It is very much like talking to someone who is talking to you; it is very difficult to hear someone when you are to them at the same time. I do like it when they clap, that's really cool, or give me a £10 note - very nice! One of my favourites I have heard is: "She's actually really good!" when people walk by.
So in and amongst the Chairmanship and Under street performing I have also decided to produce and act in a short 10 minute play which I feel in love with last year, called 'At Night in Praha' by American playwright Steve Capra. Once again, this is new ground for me, as I have never produced a play before. I have got wonderful fellow actor friends who are playing in this with me. Without them, it would not have the life and enthusiasm, plus, it is great to do good work with good people. We have a proposal to put on our little play at a local theatre, so now we sit and wait to see if we make the final cut.... I will have to let ya know what happens next time! I fear I am starting to be victim of my own success, but it is the drive of this performer and boy is it alive and well. To think that performers are often thought of as 'flaky' and 'unreliable' - not a bit of it! I cannot wait till I reach cruising speed and put things on automatic pilot for awhile, at least until I may have to land a few of these projects.
Would love to hear your flying experience! Off into the blue yonder for now....
That's what I have felt like since I have taken on the role of Chairman of the North American Actors Association (NAAA - http://new.naaa.org.uk/) on January 20th. I am sure this is just me getting used to this new avenue in my life, but boy it is a steep learning curve. Strangely enough I am lov'n it. I have a great committee of people to work with and already things are moving along and I look forward to these next two years.
So I move from the heady heights of Chairmanship of NAAA to the lowly, but lovely streets of London or to be exact, under the streets on the London Underground. Something I have just started to do since the beginning of January of this year. Just today I had a woman walk up to me and say 2I just didn't believe that it's your real voice and not a recording." The public never cease to amase and surprise me, my favourite is when they ask me a question while I am singing - how I am meant to be able to sing and respond to their question I am not sure. I suppose I could try singing a response, but the strange thing I believe people don't always realise I tend to be listening to my music to make sure I am in time with it, not to the question they may be asking. It is very much like talking to someone who is talking to you; it is very difficult to hear someone when you are to them at the same time. I do like it when they clap, that's really cool, or give me a £10 note - very nice! One of my favourites I have heard is: "She's actually really good!" when people walk by.
So in and amongst the Chairmanship and Under street performing I have also decided to produce and act in a short 10 minute play which I feel in love with last year, called 'At Night in Praha' by American playwright Steve Capra. Once again, this is new ground for me, as I have never produced a play before. I have got wonderful fellow actor friends who are playing in this with me. Without them, it would not have the life and enthusiasm, plus, it is great to do good work with good people. We have a proposal to put on our little play at a local theatre, so now we sit and wait to see if we make the final cut.... I will have to let ya know what happens next time! I fear I am starting to be victim of my own success, but it is the drive of this performer and boy is it alive and well. To think that performers are often thought of as 'flaky' and 'unreliable' - not a bit of it! I cannot wait till I reach cruising speed and put things on automatic pilot for awhile, at least until I may have to land a few of these projects.
Would love to hear your flying experience! Off into the blue yonder for now....
Monday, 18 October 2010
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